A cricket pitch in Bramley has been damaged by vandals believed to be ‘rabbit chasing’ in their cars.

The incident happened at 9.15am on March 5 at Bramley Cricket Club.

A vehicle was driven onto the ground at Gosden Common, churning up the pitch.

Bramley Cricket Club chairman Jon Vocking said attacks are not a regular occurrence. “Once or twice a season something happens,” he said. “There are tracks on the ground and we think they have been chasing rabbits in their car. The mind boggles. It is a cricket pitch on the main road so it is easily accessible and these things are going to happen. It gets a bit annoying and we put so much effort into making it work and are completely self-funded.”

Mr Vocking said players have had their wallets stolen from dressing rooms before and on one occasion, the pitch was set alight.

“There were these half-foot round burnt circles we thought was a suspected fire,” he said.

“We can honestly only do so much and we cannot put cameras up. One day we would like to build a bar but we are worried some idiot is going to come in and ruin it.

"We think it is people who are bored as there is not much to do in the village. I mean, even when we have been playing cricket we get people driving past shouting.

"It gets frustrating and we are just a bit worried.

“Surrey Police have put a notice up naming and shaming and we hope that helps.

“Bramley is such a lovely place and then you get some dipstick come along. It is people just not thinking. We are getting close to the start of our season and we are running out of time.

“It is not costing us a fortune to repair but the worry is something really bad does happen and we have not got money to do it.

“It is my responsibility and I need to look at what is best for the members.”

Bramley Parish Council chairman Patrick Molineux said he was concerned at all acts of vandalism in Bramley, including the latest incident.

“We get a report every month from the local police at our parish council meeting and, fortunately, incidents of criminal damage are very rare in Bramley,” he said.

“Where they do occur, they are clearly upsetting for all concerned.

“Bramley’s generally one of the safest parishes in one of the safest districts in the country but unfortunately we do get occasional idiots and criminals who presumably take pleasure in unnecessary damage.

“I hope the vandals are caught and punished.

“We work very closely with our local police, who have a strong connection to the community, and I hope they catch the culprits.

“It is never helpful for the parish to have criminal activity but fortunately crime is very rare in Bramley and the residents here are keen to keep it that way.

“In terms of the impact for the cricket club, I could not comment on the impact to their matches other than to say I am sad that some idiot, or idiots, only find it possible to get their pleasure at the expense of others.”

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “Officers are aware of the incident and have increased their patrol in the area. We do not believe it to be a regular occurrence and have had no reports of rabbit chasing.”

Surrey Police has warned anyone found driving a vehicle on the cricket ground may be issued with a warning and a vehicle seizure notice and the club may also consider civil proceedings.

Anyone with information about the incident, or who knows who is responsible for causing the damage, is asked to contact Surrey Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Established in the 17th century, Bramley Cricket Club’s greatest claim to fame is that it hosted the first recorded women’s cricket match, in July 1745.

Its first and second teams compete in the I’Anson Cup – a league competition comprising six divisions – and a third team competes on Sundays against teams from Surrey and Sussex.

Bramley’s first team gained promotion to Division Two following the most successful season in the club’s history last year.